Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

[sumarusfinest]

The wonderful thing about the Nexus is that it's usually fairly easy to find the regulars because of their preferred spots for lounging about the forum. This makes Katsuya's current task all the more convenient as he makes his way from the stall of the Velvet Room.

The suspect had to be around here somewhere. Always lounging about and starting fights with the resident magi of the Nexus. He finds what he's looking for in a blonde man working on a small glass device on one of the many Nexus couches, a cup of coffee sitting next to him.

"I need your assistance in regards to a case of the utmost importance. Your cooperation would be...appreciated."

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

"If you can't, you can't complain," she points out. It's one or the other, Katsuya.

She laughs at the way he squirms and jumps to get away, but the second he tells her to stop she does, drawing back slightly so he can catch his breath without worrying she's going to start again anytime soon. Her hands fold in her lap, on top of Mister Otter, who doesn't look sorry at all.

"Under arrest, are we? Really?"

[sumarusfinest]

Mister Otter is devious indeed. He needs a sinister name befitting his villainous nature. Snidely Whiskers or the like. The clever fiend.

Katsuya's sunglasses are askew and he pants to catch his breath. Thankfully Verity has already pulled back so there isn't a need for whining or hand swatting. She's so nice. Curse your influence Mister Otter!

"Gunned down in the line of duty. A most noble end."

[brave_heart_verity]

She would so name Mister Otter "Snidely Whiskers" if someone suggested it, because that is a perfect name for her new partner in mischief.

Slowly, carefully, she reaches out to straighten his sunglasses and smooth his hair back into place. No more tickles and Mister Otter is being held safely in her lap.

"And no one will ever know it was me. The perfect crime."

[sumarusfinest]

"Are you kidding? The significant other is always the primary suspect." He appreciates her attentiveness and lack of repeat offences.

"Though if you come into the station and make a statement concerning this villainous creature's input, they might give you leniency. And to think, the officer brought such an evil menace into your home unknowingly..."

[brave_heart_verity]

Well, if that's how he's going to be, she's going to muss his hair again. "No! Mister Otter and I love each other and we're going to run away together and you can't stop us." This is delivered in her best 'petulant teenager' voice, which, well... she got a lot of practice with when she was younger.

She clutches Mister Otter to her chest and retreats to the other end of the couch, which leaves her poor feet exposed and with nothing more than socks to defend them from retaliation.

[sumarusfinest]

Ack!

"Well considering Snidely Whiskers over there decided to encourage you to commit murder just to have an affair, I suppose I can't stop you. Since you know. Gunned down. I told you the significant other is always the prime suspect." He adjusts his glasses dutifully and regains his composure.

"Though, it should be warned....I will haunt you for this." Let his poltergeist be known by his beyond the grave foot ticklings!

[brave_heart_verity]

"Snidely Whiskers?" Hmm. That has a nice ring to it. She looks down at Mister Otter thoughtfully and doesn't even see the tickles coming.

Clearly, she trusts him too much.

"Ack!" She doesn't love Snidely so much after all, because he's launched at Katsuya's head. "Hey! Stop that!" The next thing to come to hand is a throw pillow, which she bats at him with. Gently, and only on the arms.

[sumarusfinest]

Snidely gives one last Boop! to Katsuya's head before tumbling off the couch and onto the floor.

"Whoa, otter down. Otter down." Katsuya stops to lean over the couch and scoop him back up. Just because he's a suspect doesn't mean he has to be brutalized. Let it not be said that Officer Suou is not just.

He also stops because Verity told him to and that's only fair considering she stopped when he asked earlier.

"You think we can call it a truce?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mmm. Okay." But she's going to shift to sit with her feet under her, just in case. It also makes it easier to lift herself on her knees, if he comes close enough to get kissed.

She holds out a hand for Snidely, addressing the little furball as she does. "Sorry darling, but it was you or me and you would have done the same thing."

[sumarusfinest]

"Hai, hai." Katsuya shifts so he can sit up properly. He'll lean over to Verity's side of the couch to deposit the evil purple little plush into her open hand.

"I'm concerned for your safety if he would have thrown you." Is this what the rise of a super villain is like?

[brave_heart_verity]

She leans forward and gives him a quick peck when he's in reach, and draws back with a triumphant smile.

This is exactly where supervillains come from: the betrayal of their toys. It's insidious. "And yet you gave him to me. It makes me wonder what you're hoping will happen."

[sumarusfinest]

"But you asked for him back. I can't deny you things, especially not right now. What should I do instead? Sequester him to time out? Besides, if you're happier with him, I mean...I can just go."

He's trying hard not to laugh, especially considering the peck she just gave him.

[brave_heart_verity]

Hmph. "You brought him here in the first place. I think you're trying to set me up. Snidely agrees, this is all your fault."

He's such a troublemaker. Him and his otter.

Next time Gadget. Next tiiiime!

[sumarusfinest]

"Of course he agrees, he's the criminal mastermind behind all of this!" Katsuya gives an over exaggerated sigh. "I should have left you in the bin to get purchased by a drooling toddler, Snidely."

Curses! Foiled by his purple cuteness plot.

http://bit.ly/1OZNKe6

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity rolls her eyes at the complaints and threats, but she's still smiling. "So you're just going to sit there and let Snidely win?"

There has been kisses and cuddles and tickles and things, Katsuya. Snidely's not afraid to get affectionate. Maybe that's why he's winning.

[sumarusfinest]

"You keep siding with him." Katsuya points out, and is definitely not pouting over this. Definitely not.Grown men do no such thing.

Katsuya has been tickling and cuddling and things too! Preferential treatment! The otter has an unfair advantage here. How this turned into both of them teaming up against him he will never know.

"I'd call in reinforcements, but I don't really want to go out and buy the rest of the bin of stuffed animals. Besides, there's no telling what nefarious individuals may be residing within." He slumps over, resting his head on Verity's folded legs.

"All that's left is to beg you to take me back."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Only because he's right." If grown men don't pout, what does that make him right now? Besides 'adorable'.

She gives him a confused look for a moment when he lays his head in her lap. This isn't a form of affection she's used to. But when she realize he's staying there she starts to stroke his hair. "I guess that's what you get for bringing me friends from the wrong side of town..."

There isn't really room for him and Snidely there at the same time. Snidely is tossed onto a chair so Katsuya can have all the room. "If you think that's for the best. I don't think it'll be hard to convince me."

[sumarusfinest]

"And here I thought all sides of town were the right sides if you were willing to look hard enough." Katsuya chuckles and lets his eyes slip shut while she's stroking his hair.

He's not going to sleep this time, worry not. He's just enjoying the attention. His smile widens when he hears the stuffed animal's slight fwmph as it hits the chair.

"Justice has triumphed. I can rest in peace."

[brave_heart_verity]

It sure sounds like he's going to be falling asleep again. She sighs quietly, disappointed, but doesn't stop stroking his hair while she goes through her mental list of all the reasons she can't get mad at him for falling asleep on her again.

"Yes. You can rest peacefully, knowing I came to my senses only too late and will spend the rest of my life mourning my foolish ways."

[sumarusfinest]

"I think you've got enough to mourn about. Philemon hasn't said it was my time, yet." Katsuya cracks open his eyes and grins up at her.

"You've come to your senses gives me the strength to live on." The smile widens somewhat as Katsuya is unaware of her constant downers. "I wouldn't leave you alone Verity, and making you join me would be a bit rash, don't you think? I'm supposed to be the good cop."

[brave_heart_verity]

She's not a naturally cheerful person. Katsuya's going to have to come to accept this. But she's got a smile for him right now, and that's a good start, right?

"He's going to warn you, is he? That's lucky." She leans down to kiss his forehead before whispering, "I wouldn't be alone. Snidely would comfort me in my hour of need."

[sumarusfinest]

"He's sent me back every other...uhm." Well, shit. This is a conversation he hadn't been meaning to bring up.

"...I don't suppose we can just gloss over that? Do you want the details?" At least he's offering?

He's going to get up and fish Snidely back so she has something to cuddle in case she doesn't want to be near him for some reason. He's not gone long and he'll be right there next to her unless she pulls away.

[brave_heart_verity]

Well.

That's a surprise.

She doesn't answer until he comes back with Snidely. He's the one who gets the hug, not the otter. "Man, it's like everyone I know was dead at some point other than me. I almost feel left out."

It's a lousy attempt at a joke but she's trying.

[sumarusfinest]

"I didn't ever die." Katsuya points out quietly. "Not entirely. But there were a few close calls." He'll hug verity back.

"Times where I was too slow dodging...times when I couldn't use my persona anymore. And I thought 'this is the end'. But I'd get stopped. I'd wake up in the chamber I met Philemon in, and he'd ask me if I was giving up. I think it may have just been a hallucination. My brain trying to work out that I was dying. but I was saved, every time. And it was only a few times."

It never got any easier, and he'd thankfully never had to test it after Nyarlathotep had been driven back.

"I'm alright. I promise." The nightmares are few and far between now. He's moved on.

[brave_heart_verity]

Times like this, her somber nature seems much more appropriate. Hers was a world of horror stories wrapped up in primary colors. It's not the first time or the last she'll hear something like this. It's not anywhere near the worst, either. But he gets all her quiet attention and a warm hug that doesn't waiver.

"You're so brave," she whispers when he seems to be finished.